Record Grant Results and Strong Position of UniLodz in OPUS and SONATA Calls
This year’s calls attracted more than 3,700 proposals – nearly 15 per cent more than the previous year. This is a record number, as is the budget allocated to funding basic research. A total of 279 OPUS projects and 243 SONATA projects, worth almost PLN 912 million, were selected for funding. The numerical success rate in the OPUS call (excluding LAP proposals) reached 13.34%, while in the SONATA call it was 18.02%. The results of OPUS 30 and SONATA 21 are available on the National Science Centre website.
As emphasised by representatives of the University of Lodz, securing more than PLN 21 million for the implementation of research projects constitutes a significant reinforcement of UniLodz’s research potential and confirms the quality of research conducted at our university.
OPUS and SONATA – Two Calls, One Goal: Advancing Research
The OPUS call has a broad formula and is open to researchers at every stage of their academic careers. It supports projects lasting from 12 to 48 months and covers the full spectrum of research costs – from salaries and scholarships to equipment, software, research visits and research services. Within the LAP pathway, international cooperation is also possible as part of the Weave programme.
SONATA is addressed to researchers at the early stage of their academic careers following the completion of a doctoral degree. It enables the implementation of projects lasting up to 36 months and funds not only research itself, but also the development of research teams and the competencies of early-career scientists.
SONATA 21 Projects at the University of Lodz (random order)
- Sztuka radiowa i dokumentalność: transnarodowe praktyki reprezentowania rzeczywistości [Radio Art and Documentary: Transnational Practices of Representing Reality] – project leader: Dr Natalia Kowalska-Elkader, Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz,
- Jak zmienność wewnątrzgatunkowa sprzyja inwazji [How Intraspecific Variation Facilitates Invasion] – project leader: Dr Dagmara Błońska, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz,
- Czy słodkowodne małże przetrwają w antropogenicznie zmieniającym się świecie? [Will Freshwater Mussels Survive in an Anthropogenically Changing World?] – project leader: Dr Dariusz Krzysztof Halabowski, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz,
- DualCancerSens: elektrochemiczny i spektrofotometryczny biosensor papierowy o podwójnym sygnale do wykrywania w czasie rzeczywistym aktywności biomarkerów enzymatycznych w diagnostyce raka [DualCancerSens: A Dual-Signal Electrochemical and Spectrophotometric Paper-Based Biosensor for Real-Time Detection of Enzymatic Biomarker Activity in Cancer Diagnostics] – project leader: Dr Kumaravel Sakthivel, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz,
- Ozy jako wskaźniki systemu odpływu lodowcowego: wpływ podłoża na morfologię i osady ozów [Eskers as Indicators of Glacial Drainage Systems: The Influence of Substrate on Esker Morphology and Sediments] – project leader: Dr Małgorzata Agata Frydrych, Faculty of Geographical Sciences, University of Lodz,
- CDW-MEMORY: przełączanie CDW w skali atomowej dla pamięci nowej generacji [CDW-MEMORY: Atomic-Scale CDW Switching for Next-Generation Memory] – project leader: Dr Iaroslav Lutsyk, Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, University of Lodz,
- Struktury dichalkogenków metali przejściowych i tlenków metali przejściowych o kontrolowanej fazie jako wysokowydajne materiały do systemów magazynowania energii opartych na jonach cynku (TMD-TMO) [Phase-Controlled Transition Metal Dichalcogenide and Transition Metal Oxide Structures as High-Performance Materials for Zinc-Ion Energy Storage Systems (TMD-TMO)] – Dr inż. Wojciech Kazimierz Kukułka; project in partnership with Prof. Paweł Kowalczyk (University of Lodz / Adam Mickiewicz University), Faculty of Physics and Applied Informatics, University of Lodz.
OPUS 30 Projects at the University of Lodz (random order)
- Patronat artystyczny w regionie Cusco w okresie wicekrólestwa (1542–1824) [Artistic Patronage in the Cusco Region during the Viceroyalty Period (1542–1824)] – project leader: Dr Ewa Joanna Kubiak, Faculty of Philosophy and History, University of Lodz,
- Miasta jako aktorzy polityki historycznej: analiza porównawcza w państwach dawniej okupowanych przez nazistowskie Niemcy i Japonię [Cities as Actors of Memory Politics: A Comparative Analysis in Countries Formerly Occupied by Nazi Germany and Japan] – project leader: mgr Natalia Monika Matiaszczyk, University of Lodz Doctoral School of Social Sciences,
- Psychograficzne uwarunkowania skuteczności instrumentów polityki zrównoważonej konsumpcji [Psychographic Determinants of the Effectiveness of Sustainable Consumption Policy Instruments] – project leader: Prof. Paweł Marek Bryła, Faculty of International and Political Studies, University of Lodz,
- Personifikacja ekosystemów. Analiza możliwości i zasadności uznania osób ekologicznych w kontynentalnym prawie prywatnym [The Personification of Ecosystems. An Analysis of the Feasibility and Legitimacy of Recognising Environmental Persons in Continental Private Law] – project leader: dr hab. Michał Kazimierz Rupniewski, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz,
- Rutenowe metalodendrymery jako nanoplatformy do terapii ferroptotycznej celowanej w GPX4/FSP1 w nowotworach lekoopornych [Ruthenium Metallodendrimers as Nanoplatforms for GPX4/FSP1-Targeted Ferroptotic Therapy in Drug-Resistant Cancers] – project leader: dr hab. Sylwia Michlewska, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz,
- Prognozowanie wpływu ekologicznego gatunków inwazyjnych w warunkach zmiany klimatu [Forecasting the Ecological Impact of Invasive Species under Climate Change Conditions] – project leader: dr hab. Ali Serhan Tarkan, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz,
- Mezozoiczna rewolucja jeziorna i największe wyzwanie ewolucyjne dla jętek (Ephemeroptera) [MesoRev] – [The Mesozoic Lacustrine Revolution and the Greatest Evolutionary Challenge for Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) [MesoRev]] – project leader: dr hab. Roman Hodunko, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz,
- Jednonaczyniowa formulacja, osadzanie i oddzielanie od powierzchni przewodzących – elektrochemiczne podejście do wytwarzania hydrogeli do zastosowań mikrobiologicznych (eGell4µBio) [One-Pot Formulation, Deposition and Separation from Conductive Surfaces – an Electrochemical Approach to the Fabrication of Hydrogels for Microbiological Applications (eGell4µBio)] – project leader: dr hab. Łukasz Półtorak, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Lodz.
Science That Responds to Contemporary Challenges
Research lies at the heart of the University of Lodz – behind complex scientific titles stand studies that enable us to discover, understand and transform reality. This is where projects addressing the most pressing challenges of today are carried out – from social inequalities, through health and civilisation diseases, to climate change and biodiversity protection. At the same time, humanities research is being developed, enabling a deeper understanding of culture, history and contemporary societies.
It is precisely this combination of diverse scientific disciplines that allows the University of Lodz to consistently build its research strength and presence in both the national and international academic landscape.
Effective in Science at Every Stage
We would like to offer our congratulations to all researchers who have secured funding for their projects! At the University of Lodz, we believe that researchers – regardless of their career stage – deserve specific, accessible and supportive assistance. We help plan projects, obtain funding, develop international cooperation, prepare publications and make use of advisory services. UniLodz consistently supports its researchers in preparing and implementing projects, providing them with conditions to conduct research at the highest level – from the conceptual stage to the dissemination of results within the academic community. Check what you need!
The latest results of OPUS 30 and SONATA 21 confirm that the University of Lodz is an active and effective participant in the most important national programmes funding basic research. The more than PLN 21 million secured for research projects is not only a measurable financial success, but above all an investment in science, people and future discoveries.
Source: Project Support Centre, University of Lodz; National Science Centre
Edit: Honorata Ogieniewska, Centre for External Relations and Social Responsibility, University of Lodz
